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S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 / W O R K F O R M E 49 Dewitt says he loves being a part of IDEXX because of the company's global perspective and mindset of "contributing to something bigger than yourself." While one third of IDEXX's over 8,000 employees live and work in Maine the others are located around the globe. The company develops, manufactures and distributes diagnostic products and software services to the veterinary industry and provides water quality testing and other services in over 175 countries. Covetrus, formerly Vet's First Choice, is another animal health-focused company. "We're like the back office of the vet," says Stacy Shirra, vice president of global tal- ent management based in Denver. This is a new role for Shirra, who most recently held a similar position at Apple. She says as an animal lover accepting a job with Covetrus was an easy decision. Shirra says that Covetrus also has entry- level positions and notes that even jobs in their distribution center come with a lot of technology these days and opportunities for advancement. Kiní Schoop, a Covetrus spokesperson, says the work culture is collaborative and one where people are not afraid to ask questions, no matter what position they hold. "People are nice," she says of the 300-employee Portland office. "They allow you to bring your whole self to work." And, of course, they allow office pets. Maine tech companies provide serves to a broad range of industries. Grand Rounds, Inc, which moved into a new office in Lew- iston last year, focuses on services and systems that support the health of people. Portland-based Tilson Technology, another Roux Institute partner, and SymQuest, with offices in Lewiston and Westbrook, are both focused on telecommunication services and information infrastructure. Technology services provide the bones and structure to a variety of different fields, creating a host of unique job opportunities. n F u t u r e L o o k s B r i g h t f o r G r e e n J o b s T ech often pairs well with green jobs, this year more than ever as many of Maine's community solar projects are being constructed or just coming onto the grid. Companies like ReVision Energy are part of an industry on the rise in Maine and looking for a willing workforce to help build, connect, operate and maintain solar power arrays throughout the state. Their new training center will provide apprenticeships and other advanced training for electricians to work in the solar industry. While electricians are in high demand as Maine builds its solar infrastructure, the state will continue to need electricians with advanced techni- cal knowledge to operate and maintain these systems, so the opportunity for growth in the field is great. The Maine Community College System is keeping pace with this new workforce demand and the state's efforts to go green by prioritizing training in these fields. They've increased training in in- stallation and management of energy efficient services like solar panels and heat pumps, and added training in ser- vice of electric-powered vehicles to its automotive program. As businesses and communities across the state begin to adopt the governor's Climate Action Plan, released this year, the demand for these green jobs will only increase. n P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y R E V I S I O N E N E R G Y ReVision Energy installed a 912-paneled ground-mounted solar array in Rockland, for Migis Lodge in South Casco. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F C O V E T R U S A Covetrus office dog at the Portland headquarters. People are nice. They allow you to bring your whole self to work. — Kiní Schoop Covetrus T e c h n o l o g y